Family Justice Center now open full time

Thursday

May 9, 2013 at 3:15 AM

ROCHESTER — A child sitting in a classroom in Dover goes home to violence every day. A young mother in Durham is hit by her husband. An elderly man in Lee is abused by his son. These scenarios play out every day across the state, and Strafford County is leading the way in bringing hope to victims and in reducing abuse and violence in the community.

Help for victims of domestic abuse and family violence is now available five days a week at the Strafford County Family Justice Center, located in the Community Building in Rochester. The Center officially opened full-time in April, with a grand opening celebration to be scheduled for later this summer.

Strafford County Family Justice Center has been the result of a concerted effort on the part of many city and county officials and community members to transform the community’s response to abuse by co-locating a multi-disciplinary team of professionals work together, under one roof, to provide coordinated comprehensive services to victims of domestic, sexual, elder, and child abuse, and stalking.

Formal strategic planning for the Family Justice Center began more than three years ago with statewide and local stakeholders who gathered to generate an action plan and timeline; all geared to opening and operating a family justice center. The process was guided by consultants through the National Family Justice Center Alliance, which has assisted over 80 communities across the United States start their centers. The Strafford County Family Justice Center is the first such center in the state.

“This Family Justice Center brings tremendous value to Strafford County,” said County Attorney Thomas Velardi, who has been a strong supporter of the Center and serves on its Advisory Council. “The goal is to improve access to services for victims and their children and eliminate barriers, which currently exist when victims have to tell their stories repeatedly to various service providers and travel from one location to another for assistance. Now residents will have these very important support services available to them in a safe, secure environment. Additionally, this model has been shown to improve outcomes for prosecution and police efforts, thus increasing safety for everyone in the community. ”

“People in crisis don’t have the energy or time to call dozens of agencies or to go to multiple places for help.” said Samantha Clancy, service coordinator at the center. “Here we try to meet as many needs and answer as many questions in one spot, so clients do not have to go from place to place. “

Now, victims can come to a comfortable space, which is also secure and is equipped with cameras and panic buttons to ensure safety. In addition to offices where clients can meet confidentially with an advocate or legal representative, there is a children’s play area stuffed with toys for younger children.

“If a child falls in love with a stuffed animal, we make sure that they can take it with them.” Clancy said. “This is why we do this work. We want to help the moms, but we really want to see their children grow up healthy, happy and violence-free.

“We can arrange for transportation in some cases,” said Clancy. While we are in a convenient location, we know that sometimes victims cannot get to us. We currently have some funding available to help victims who do not have transportation and might need a cab or bus fare to get here. Additionally, advocates from Family Justice Center partner, A Safe Place, will meet with victims in the community if necessary. The goal is to either get them here or go to where they are.”

Services available to those in need include crisis intervention, legal assistance with temporary restraining orders, divorce and custody, information provided about the criminal justice system, victim compensation assistance and referrals to community organizations. Advocates from A Safe Place and Sexual Assault Support Services are at the Center to provide services to victims of domestic violence, adult and child sexual assault, and physical abuse to both children and the elderly. New Hampshire Legal Assistance is present one day a week to provide legal assistance. Area law enforcement staff is also available to answer questions.

“The Family Justice Center is really a testament to the collaborative efforts of many people in this community, from the County Commissioners, to the town and city police chiefs, to the advocates who provide the direct services to clients. Many voices have been at the table and all of them have helped turn an innovative and ground-breaking vision into a reality, said Ann Sanok, executive director.

The Strafford County Family Justice Center is located at 150 Wakefield St., in the Community Building behind Spaulding High School. For more information or to make an appointment, call (603) 509-1916.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.